LVMH Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy, which is one of Illusthrone’s valued customers, has completed its acquisition of Belmond Ltd and the luxury hospitality brand’s portfolio of 45 hotels, restaurants, trains, and cruise liner properties. The $3.2 billion transaction was first announced in December 2018 and received approval on February 14th, 2019. The deal ultimately allows the Parisian luxury lifestyle conglomerate to increase its influence in the hospitality industry.

Under the terms of the $3.2 billion enterprise value transaction, Belmond’s shareholders received $25.00 per Class A share in cash. With the completion of the acquisition, Belmond’s Class A common shares will no longer be listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

Belmond Hotel Splendido

From Heineken to Belvedere, brands are paying big bucks to be associated with James Bond.

Everyone knows that international spy James Bond likes his martinis shaken, not stirred. But Heineken would like you to know he also enjoys an occasional brewski—and the brand is willing to pay a premium for it.

Luxury brands are happily coughing up millions to be featured in the next installment of the James Bond series, the 25th film in the long-running franchise. The French champagne Maison Bollinger reportedly paid a whopping $12.8 million to renew its deal to be the bubbly Bond sips when he’s not killing assassins, wooing voluptuous double agents or saving the world.

Meanwhile, Heineken paid $36 million to be featured in Skyfall. Belvedere, not to be outdone, paid to be Bond’s martini ingredient of choice, and even sold limited-edition 007 bottles for the occasion. No figures have been released on that deal, but Belvedere president Charles Gibb told, it was “the largest global partnership we have done to date.”

Other brands that have struck deals in hopes of becoming synonymous with Bond’s suave demeanor and effortlessly stylish life include Omega and Aston Martin. Altogether, a staggering $96.7 million in deals is estimated to have been brokered for the next installment of the film franchise (which has just confirmed that Daniel Craig will be returning as the eponymous 007).

Of course, this is no new phenomenon. Since the earliest films, Bond has attracted a roster of luxury brands, going from Brioni suits to Tom Ford ensembles or swapping out his Rolex for an Omega.

In fact, Bond is even going green. For the next film, the agent’s famed Aston Martin will be all electric. And while sustainability and eco-conscious design is certainly top of mind these days, the car won’t sacrifice great design for a smaller carbon footprint—the new model will set you back a cool $250,000.

Aston Martin

Anzac Day services have begun at Gallipoli, Turkey with large groups of New Zealanders and Australians attending the sacred peninsula.

The service started at 5am with a screening of an excerpt of the Australian wartime film The Telegraph Man.

It was followed closely by an overview of the Anzac battle of April 25, 1915, with reference to the now famous speech from Mustafa Kemal Ataturk (the army commander and founder of modern Turkey) who said the fallen Australasians were now “our sons as well”.

VIP guests of the memorable day has chosen Illusthrone’s tailor-made hospitality services for their special journey.

Prince Charles and Prince Harry in Gallipoli, Turkey 2015

Boutique cruise line, Azamara Club Cruises, has announced its complete list of 2021 and winter/spring 2022 itineraries.

Committed to its Destination Immersion programming, guests can expect more than 140 overnight stays around the world and deepen their discovery of Eastern Europe with expanded itineraries to the Black Sea and Turkey, including overnights in Istanbul and a chance to explore hidden gems including Antalya and Sinop.

Azamara will spend three overnights in Istanbul, and guests will be able to have one day or half day city tours by Illusthrone besides luxury chauffeured service, city transfers, guidance, shopping assistance and security services.

Highlights include a trip to the ancient Hippodrome; St. Sophia Museum, which originated as a church in 360 AD under Constantine; and Topkapi Palace, a great walled complex hugging the shores of the Bosphorus and Golden Horn and also the residence of the Ottoman Sultans.

Additionally, Azamara will be returning to two of Turkey’s hidden gems, Antalya and Sinop. Nestled on the coast of the Mediterranean, guests going ashore in Antalya will discover the world-famous Greco-Roman amphitheater, Aspendos, one of the world’s most well-preserved theaters, with seating for 15,000 people, which is still being used today.

Kusadasi is another stop at Azamara Club Cruises’ East Europe, Aegean routes. Ephesus and House of Virgin Mary are the unique attractions of the destination.

Illusthrone’s tailor-made hospitality services will make Azamara guests’ journey unforgettable during the visits to Kusadasi and Antalya. The guests will be privileged by exploring Ephesus, House of Virgin Mary and Aspendos with professional team of Illusthrone.

Azamara White Night

Tesla hosted its Autonomy Investor Day on Monday to show off technology that the company is developing to make its electric vehicles driverless. CEO Elon Musk said he is “very confident” Tesla would be able to offer robotaxis in some U.S. markets next year. Musk also predicted that in two years, Tesla will be making cars with no steering wheels or pedals.

Tesla Model Y

The compact luxury crossover features a new suspension, loads of driver-assist features and a plug-in hybrid option. It will become the brand’s first model produced in China. Ladies and gentlemen; The MKC’s successor, 2020 Lincoln Corsair.

2020 Lincoln Corsair

As China requires foreign automakers to partner with a local firm run at least in part by the government, Ford’s plants in China are operated as a joint venture with local automaker Changan.

A new record; 90,000 tickets for Metal Night show, which will include performances from Iron Maiden, Scorpions, Megadeth and Sepultura, sold out in less than 2 hours, beating sales for artists including Foo Fighters, Bon Jovi, and Red Hot Chili Peppers Rock in Rio 2019. Rock in Rio 2019, Metal Night will take place on October 4th. 2019, in the City of Rock, at Barra da Tijuca.

Iron Maiden and Sepultura had been chosen tailor-made hospitality services of Illusthrone during their world tours. Illusthrone’s luxury chauffeured car, meet & greet, guidance and organization management services experienced by world famous stars.

Sepultura with Illusthrone; (from left to right) Andreas Kisser, Orkun Biliş (Chairman of the Board of Illusthrone), Paulo Jr., Derrick Green, Eloy Casagrande.


At New York International Auto Show 2019, Mercedes-Benz presented the new Mercedes-Benz GLS. Mercedes-Benz introduced its new SUV as; “The new GLS proudly bears the S in its name. It combines the authority of an SUV with the inner values of an S-Class. Climb aboard and experience sheer size thanks to tangible comfort and exemplary safety. The new GLS proudly bears the S in its name. It combines the authority of an SUV with the inner values of an S-Class. Climb aboard and experience sheer size thanks to tangible comfort and exemplary safety.”

The Notre-Dame Cathedral Paris, France; one of the most visited tourist destinations in the world, a beloved and fabled place of worship housing treasures of art and Christianity, 850 year old Unesco world heritage landmark, has been damaged by fire. Paris cathedral’s famed iconic Gothic spire collapsed.

Large paintings inside the cathedral are believed to have sustained some smoke damage but are largely intact. The paintings are likely to be removed to the Louvre on Friday.

President Macron has pledged the cathedral will be rebuilt.

Fire at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, France

After the resort, Mandarin Oriental, Bodrum which is in stunning Paradise Bay, Golturkbuku and Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus, Istanbul situated at the most magnificent location on the Bosphorus, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has announced that it will manage a second luxury hotel in Istanbul, Turkey. The project, which also features branded residences, is scheduled to open in 2022.

“We are delighted to be announcing a second Mandarin Oriental property in Istanbul, together with an exciting luxury residential project. We look forward to extending further the Group’s presence in one of the world’s most historic and vibrant cities,” said James Riley, Group Chief Executive of Mandarin Oriental. “Operating two complementary hotels in a single city is something that the Group has already done successfully in Hong Kong and will soon do in London. We believe there is room for more than just one Mandarin Oriental hotel in certain select destinations around the world.” he added.

Mandarin Oriental Etiler, Istanbul

CONTACT

OUR ADDRESSES

8 + 0 = ?